Marguerite Stocker: Why I'm Running For Middletown Twp. Committee

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — In Middletown, there will be a Township Committee race this November. There are two open seats.

The Republicans are Patricia Snell, a Committeewoman running to keep her seat. Ryan Clarke is running alongside her; he hopes to fill the seat Tony Fiore held for the past five terms. Both Snell and Clarke are running with the backing of the Monmouth County Republican Organization.

The Democrats are Paul Jansen and Marguerite Stocker, running with the backing of the Monmouth County Democratic Party.

Patch asked each candidate to fill out a questionnaire and here are Stocker's answers:

Marguerite Stocker

Age (as of Election Day: 51

Position Sought: Township Committee

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Family: Husband, Mark, 54 and three children, one at MHSS and two at Thompson Middle School

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education: Masters Degree

Occupation: Manage the Monmouth University Bookstore (there for the past four years and did the same job at Brookdale Community College for 17 years).

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: County Committee Member for District 10

Campaign website: N/A at this time

Why are you seeking elective office? To represent and support my community and offer my perspective and expertise to the current Township Committee.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it: There are too many to list right now given current circumstances with Covid-19. Moving forward, I intend to address all of my constituents concerns to the best of my ability.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I am not sure of any critical differences. I do know that I have proven to be a strong leader and community member for many, many years.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency): N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? I have a run an independent business for more than twenty years. I was PFA president, am a member of the Middletown BOE PIC committee and a MYAA coach. I worked with the Middletown Board of Education, Township Committee, County Freeholders and state Assembly members to win a $1 million dollar grant for improvements on the walkway to River Plaza Elementary School. I am also a committee member of the Save Stevenson Park group.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I have worked well with current Township Committee members to achieve collective goals for our community.

The primary is July 7; the general election is Nov. 3.